San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-07
THE DROUTH SUFFERERS.
THE RELIEF COMMITTEE MUST HAVE
MORE MONEY TO COPE WITH
URGENT DEMANDS UPON IT.

Some Idea of the Distress in the En-
virons of the City and Winches-
ters Spoken of as a Terrible
Alternative for Suf-
fering.
Mr.. Eli Buroh, OF Devine, Medina
county Is well known In this city as the
leading merchant of his town and man
OF integrity In whom reliance can be
placed. He thus writes to the drouth
relief committee and draws a graphic
picture of distress in his district, which
should touch the stony hearts OF some
San Antonlans who have not yet given
a cent to the fund, and even those who
have given such trif'ing amounts, that
they can well afford to give more. This
is what Mr.. Burch says:
DEvNE, Medina County, Tex, May 6.
To the Drouth Committee, San Antonio,
Texas.
Ny Dear Sirs:-I and many more citi-
zens of Devine, appreciate the kindness
that YOU have shown to our section in
the way of relief, but 1t would be much
better to have committee to d.
vide and share out the same
should you send any more
help or aid. as the meal sent out before
was gobbled up by q good many I'M
worthy ones, but they were hungry and
had nothing to eat, ana, of course, have
to live; while great many good and
Industrious ones received some also.
Mr.. j. Nj. Smith did his best In distrib-
uting the meal TO the best of his ability
and information, and, think, done as
well as any one man could have done.
1t is a hard position TO ill, and an I'M
grateful one, therefore it should be man.
aged by two or more persons, and not
put such hardship on one man.
Gentlemen, if IL don't rain soon, and
that in very few days, we shall have TO
have help in earnest, and something else
besides meal at that, for there is no milk
to mix with the meal. and won't be for
ten days after good rain TO make the
grass for the cows, and children can't
live on meal and water. Our best farm
ers and stock raisers have just about ex-
hausted all their means, both in money,
provisions and saleable stock. Some
few have lands that they might
give deed of trust on and get money,
but there are many hard working,
worthy renters that have nothing to Of
fer for security.
This is getting to be serious matter
now. 1t is no longer talk, but reality,
with some help, plain talk and common
reasoning with the people, the best OF
order may be maintained for some time
yet, although there should be something
done at once.
Now | am not scared, but these are
facts. l am speaking from my own
knowledge and every day experience.
Men have told me that they will have
something for their children to eat, If
they have to resort to their Winchesters.
and they will. lremaiD,
Yours very truly,
ELI BURCH.
This is plain matter of fact letter,
but 1t shows how matters are in Devlne,
and the statement may be &C.
Oepted as authoritative, but 1t Is
not alone in that section that
the trouble exists. In conversation
with prominent working member Of
the relief committee, the LIGHT perig-
rinator learned that the distress In many
sections is just as bad. The relief com
mittee have done, and are doing all that
they can do to alleviate distress, but their
hands are tied by reason of the scanty
contributions that goes such a little
way among so much distress. At first
they gave out corn-meal and bacon, but
finding the resources unequalled to the
demand, they have reduced the supplies
to bare meal. All the meal Is now ex-
hausted, but there are several car loads
on the way which will be distributed as
quickly as possible. Meal is poor diet,
yet it is as eagerly sought for as the
choicest viands. This alone shows the
distress that really exists. And 1t is
not surprising, for during the past four
years the farmers have barely made ex-
penses, and in many cases have suffered
and lost so much that they are not pre-
pared for the extraordinary adverse sea-
son through which they are now pass
ing. This is not their fault. it is their
misfortune, and San Antonio, who gets
the bulk of the trade of this distressed
section, and banks upon its farming
population, should not hesitate to give
liberal help to their distressed friends
who have supported them in the past
and will do so in the future when pros
perity again smiles upon them.
Now for action. Aid is needed and
must be given. Some have given to the
fund but in too many cases only small
donations, and these can afford to in
crease the amount. Many prominent
citizens, who could afford it, have not
given cent, and it is to be hoped that
these will come forward and contribute
in a liberal way. The LIGHT urgently
appeals to the citizens for Its starving
neighbOrs, and will not wrong them by
thinking for one moment that they will
turn a deaf ear to the urgent appeal. The
committee waits. Let each man give
according to his means and San An
tonic not only wins a crown of human
lty, but she also earns the loving graft
tude of her distressed neighbOrs. Give
then what you can but above all give